I suppose it's about context. In comparison to his Dad and even his brother he is more 'ordinary' (I'm not sure how you define ordinary but in this instance I think we can guess). Whilst still being born into privilege he hasn't got the same pressure and expectation of conformity they have. He arguably has been seen more as 'fair game' for the gutter press and his actions, good and bad, have been scrutinised. Many of the headlines are for things that are 'ordinary'.

All things considered I don't think he comes across as that bad a guy. He was no more in control of the life he was born into than you or I were.

He does indeed seem to be not that bad a guy, its to the detriment of the cause of republicanism that you see folk having a go at the individuals, when the real target is and should be the concept of inherited position and status that they embody .... not the wealth, any of it they can prove is theirs and which doesn't rightfully belong to the citizens of the UK they are welcome to.

As for any of them having control of the circumstances of their birth. No they don't, but what they do control is what happens later, I laugh my arse off when they start bitching about 'their lot' and how tough it is being a royal .... screw that, they could renounce the titles and everything that goes with them at the stroke of a pen, but not one of them has ever done it apart from one notable exception and that had nothing to do with him being against being 'royal'

At their worst the Windsors genuinely believe that an entitlement to political position ( head of state ) deference and high social status which must be acknowledged by those beneath them is their birth right .... the queen and prince Philip almost certainly believe that to be true. At best the whole family look on the institution of royalty as the family business and they will do anything and everything possible to ensure nothing endangers it.

They wrap it up in words like 'duty' and 'service' ...... but we republicans know the real truth

He does indeed seem to be not that bad a guy, its to the detriment of the cause of republicanism that you see folk having a go at the individuals, when the real target is and should be the concept of inherited position and status that they embody .... not the wealth, any of it they can prove is theirs and which doesn't rightfully belong to the citizens of the UK they are welcome to.

As for any of them having control of the circumstances of their birth. No they don't, but what they do control is what happens later, I laugh my arse off when they start bitching about 'their lot' and how tough it is being a royal .... screw that, they could renounce the titles and everything that goes with them at the stroke of a pen, but not one of them has ever done it apart from one notable exception and that had nothing to do with him being against being 'royal'

At their worst the Windsors genuinely believe that an entitlement to political position ( head of state ) deference and high social status which must be acknowledged by those beneath them is their birth right .... the queen and prince Philip almost certainly believe that to be true. At best the whole family look on the institution of royalty as the family business and they will do anything and everything possible to ensure nothing endangers it.

They wrap it up in words like 'duty' and 'service' ...... but we republicans know the real truth

The foot soldiers of the class system are the English middle classes. A truly vile bunch who think they are better rather than luckier than everyone else.

It's quite interesting to note that despite the 'marketing' of this as the modern, multicultural British wedding the crowd is very, very white.

I think the point is that itís not as white as such occasions in the past where the only black people to be found were serving drinks at the reception.

Iím uncomfortable with the principle of royalty but this is an example of the positive power they have. In one fell swoop, theyíve probably made the windrush generation and the black community feel like a part of British society more effectively than the decades of effort by any group of politicians.

He does indeed seem to be not that bad a guy, its to the detriment of the cause of republicanism that you see folk having a go at the individuals, when the real target is and should be the concept of inherited position and status that they embody .... not the wealth, any of it they can prove is theirs and which doesn't rightfully belong to the citizens of the UK they are welcome to.

As for any of them having control of the circumstances of their birth. No they don't, but what they do control is what happens later, I laugh my arse off when they start bitching about 'their lot' and how tough it is being a royal .... screw that, they could renounce the titles and everything that goes with them at the stroke of a pen, but not one of them has ever done it apart from one notable exception and that had nothing to do with him being against being 'royal'

At their worst the Windsors genuinely believe that an entitlement to political position ( head of state ) deference and high social status which must be acknowledged by those beneath them is their birth right .... the queen and prince Philip almost certainly believe that to be true. At best the whole family look on the institution of royalty as the family business and they will do anything and everything possible to ensure nothing endangers it.

They wrap it up in words like 'duty' and 'service' ...... but we republicans know the real truth

Youíre right , itís not about individuals but about an outdated ridiculous system that has absolutely no merit. I mean, why this family? What have they or their predecessors ever contributed to society? Iíve nothing against Germans* either. Itís just we donít need kings, queens, knights, lords etc Feudalism is never a good idea.

EDIT- * (apart from Philpís three sisters and their husbands who were card carrying members of the German Nazi party - hence no wedding invite!)

I was down in Carlisle on the day of Bill and Kathy's wedding and coincidentally will be there on Saturday too. Whilst I had/have no interest in the weddings it has to be said there was a very pleasant atmosphere in most of the drinking establishments (not something you can often say about Carlisle) throughout the day, more of the same on Saturday please.

It was more of the same, although too many noisy groups of huns as they got themselves out of Glasgow for the day.

Not having a pop at individuals of the Royal family, they are born into it and are expected to carry out their roles but the entire idea of a Monarchy in this day and age is ridiculous IMO.

Here we are a country that prides itself on being 21st centaury, modern thinking etc yet here we have a family, through no other reason than birth, have unlimited wealth and privileges. We spend billions on the Royals whilst we also have people living on the streets, an NHS that is stretched to it's limits financially, people in need having their benefits cut, public services having funding reduced etc etc.

I'm all for a bit of tradition and celebrating our history but IMO the Monarchy is extremely outdated and has no place in modern day Britain.

Good luck to Harry and Meghan, they seem like really nice people , nothing against them as people at all, I just think the whole Royal Family thing is totally at odds to the progressive, forward thinking, modern Britain we like to think of ourselves as.

I think the point is that it’s not as white as such occasions in the past where the only black people to be found were serving drinks at the reception.

I’m uncomfortable with the principle of royalty but this is an example of the positive power they have. In one fell swoop, they’ve probably made the windrush generation and the black community feel like a part of British society more effectively than the decades of effort by any group of politicians.

Agreed. If you consider that 'racial' issues have dogged both our main political parties for much of this year, then throw in the rhetoric which surrounds Donald Trump, it's little surprise that that the wedding has been welcomed by black communities on both sides of the Atlantic. Who would once have thought that such an event could be the one to engender a genuine sense of inclusivity?

Everything you say is completely sane and in no way makes you seem unhinged, however that isnít Meghan Markle in that picture, itís Hannah Motley.

A criticism commonly aimed at Ďnon-believersí of conspiracy theories is that they believe whatever they are told and donít bother to research the truth, yet it appears thatís exactly what youíve done here.

Everything you say is completely sane and in no way makes you seem unhinged, however that isnít Meghan Markle in that picture, itís Hannah Motley.

A criticism commonly aimed at Ďnon-believersí of conspiracy theories is that they believe whatever they are told and donít bother to research the truth, yet it appears thatís exactly what youíve done here.

Ended up on the beach out at Tyninghame on RW day, but made it up to Torridon last weekend. Amazing place if you get the weather.

Beautiful!

I went up Meall Nan Tarmachan and Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond one) - Tarmachan is one of the easiest Munroe's I've ever done, up and down in about 2 hours from the elevated start of the car park. I figured I then had enough time to nip and do another one - Vorlich was much a much longer and harder climb.

I've not been to Torridon before, but my mate swears by it for hill walking and going by your pics I can see why!

I went up Meall Nan Tarmachan and Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond one) - Tarmachan is one of the easiest Munroe's I've ever done, up and down in about 2 hours from the elevated start of the car park. I figured I then had enough time to nip and do another one - Vorlich was much a much longer and harder climb.

I've not been to Torridon before, but my mate swears by it for hill walking and going by your pics I can see why!